Bond Not Expecting Early Pullout From Iraq

It’s unclear whether the change in Congressional leadership on Capitol Hill in Washington will mean a change to the way in which the war in Iraq is being waged. That’s the opinion of Senator Kit Bond, who says that while some Democrats want to see U.S. troops leave Iraq as soon as possible, it is unlikely that is going to happen. Bond points out Congress has already given President Bush authority over the situation in Iraq, and would have to vote to take back that authority. He says with sixty votes needed to get just about anything through the Senate, no changes should be expected. Bond says there will be a phased reduction of American troops in Iraq, but the reduction will be based on conditions on the ground – not on any political decisions.